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Friday, October 9, 2009

Bob Barker Takes a Spin: The "Price is Right" Host on Donating $3 Million to U.S. Military Hospital and Being Sued for Million$ More

Bob Barker talks to FOX News about giving $3 million to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. The money will aid in the construction of a new hospital treating U.S. military personnel experiencing traumatic brain injuries. Barker served as a naval aviator during World War II. The research, diagnosis and treatment facility, expected to open next year, will be located adjacent to the National Military Medical Center in Bethesda.

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund has been raising money for the treatment center since 2007. The Fund also provides financial support for the families of U.S. military members killed in the line of duty.

"I am very happy to do whatever I can to support the brave men and women who have given so much in service to our nation," Barker said in a statement. "They have given so much for us; all Americans owe them a debt of gratitude for their tremendous service and sacrifice."

The legendary host also spills to FOX News about his first sexual harassment lawsuit and David Letterman's sex scandal. Barker was sued for sexual harassment in 1994 by show model Dian Parkinson and again in 2001 by longtime Price employee Sharon Friem. Parkinson dropped her suit in 1995.

According to Friem's suit, Barker "acted in a lecherous manner" toward Friem, "made a pass at her" and offered to buy her a condo "if she would let him come over to visit her once a week," despite Friem making "it clear on many occasions that she did not want to be involved with him in any way except professionally." Friem settled for an undisclosed sum in 2005.

As Price's executive producer since 1988, Barker also was sued in 2004 and again in 2007 by three African-American show staffers who alleged Barker's longtime producer, Phil Wayne, sexually harassed them while making racially-charged remarks to and about them. Wayne was fired from the show in 2005.